Boxing villain stripped of win, banned for a year

Controversial American boxer Ryan Garcia has had his win against Devin Haney stripped and has been stood down for a year.

The New York State Athletic Commission has banned Garcia for 12 months after he tested positive to a banned substance following the win over Haney in April.

Haney's WBC super-lightweight world title - that he won off Australia's George Kambosos in 2022 - was not on the table for the Garcia bout after the latter weighed in heavy, and chugged a beer in bizarre pre-fight scenes.

Garcia dominated the fight and knocked Haney down three times to be declared the winner on the night.

But samples taken before and after the fight later tested positive for Ostarine, which is banned as it aids in building muscle mass in athletes.

Ryan Garcia (right) throws a punch at Devin Haney.

Garcia has always denied taking Ostarine or any performance enhancing drug.

The news also means Haney's professional record will return to unbeaten.

On Thursday - almost 24 hours before news of his suspension broke - the outspoken Garcia tweeted "I'm officially retired".

Then after the news was confirmed on Friday morning he took to X to go on a rant about his suspension.

"They took my victory away," Garcia wrote in one tweet.

"Take my victory away add that on to the list of the shit I'm already going through... I'm ready for business. Get ready I already ain't give a f---. Run when you see me.

"I really hope boxing good without me. They have turned their back on me. I'm innocent.

"Now I'm gonna expose the whole game - say cheese."

https://twitter.com/RyanGarcia/status/1803916500593709222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/RyanGarcia/status/1803915047569424520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/RyanGarcia/status/1803910962166341703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Garcia then claimed he would speak to UFC boss Dana White about switching to the octagon.

"For real Dana White hit me up," he wrote.

Garcia's team released a less unhinged statement following the suspension.

"Ryan Garcia was a victim of substance contamination," the statement read.

"Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and firmly maintains his truth; he never intentionally took any banned substance. It's simply not in his nature."

The statement went on to label Garcia's win over Haney a "masterclass".

Garcia had taunted Aussie boxer Kambosos over social media in recent weeks but any bout between the pair will now have to wait at least 12 months.